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Dana White Explains Why Arman Tsarukyan Was Denied A Lightweight Title Shot

MMA Reporter
Dana White On Arman Tsarukyan

In the UFC lightweight division, very few fighters are as talented, young, and dangerous as Arman Tsarukyan.

From a pure fighting perspective, many fans and analysts believe Tsarukyan clearly deserves a title shot. His wrestling, striking improvements, cardio, and fight IQ place him among the elite at 155 pounds.

Yet despite all of that, the UFC has repeatedly avoided giving him a championship opportunity. This has left fans asking one question again and again: Why is Arman Tsarukyan not getting a title shot?

Recently, Dana White addressed this issue in interviews and media interactions. According to Dana White, the reason has very little to do with Arman’s skills inside the cage and everything to do with his behavior outside of it.

This article breaks down exactly why Arman Tsarukyan was denied a title shot, based strictly on the points raised by Dana White, while also explaining how these incidents hurt his standing with the UFC.

Arman Tsarukyan’s Talent Is Not the Problem

Before discussing the controversy, it is important to understand one thing clearly: Dana White has never questioned Arman Tsarukyan’s fighting ability.

Tsarukyan has:

In the lightweight division, he has consistently proven that he belongs among the best. Many fans argue that skill-wise, he is one of the toughest challenges for the current champion, Islam Makhachev.

So if talent is not the issue, what is?

According to Dana White, professional conduct and reliability are the real reasons Arman Tsarukyan has fallen out of favor.

Dana White’s Core Argument: “You Can’t Act Like This”

Dana White has been very clear over the years:

Being a great fighter is not enough. You must also be professional, reliable, and trustworthy.

When explaining why Tsarukyan was denied a title shot, Dana pointed to multiple incidents that, in his view, showed poor judgment and damaged the UFC’s trust in him.

The Fan Altercation Before the Charles Oliveira Fight

One of the most serious incidents involved Tsarukyan before his fight with Charles Oliveira.

What Happened?

While walking toward the cage, a fan in the audience reportedly shouted something at Tsarukyan. Instead of ignoring it or letting security handle the situation, Arman reacted emotionally.

Although no serious harm occurred, the damage was already done.

Why This Matters to the UFC

From Dana White’s perspective, this was a major red flag.

The UFC sells:

When a fighter nearly attacks a fan on the way to the cage, it creates:

Dana White made it clear that fighters are expected to remain composed, no matter what fans say.

Losing control in public is something the UFC does not tolerate, especially from someone being considered for a title shot.

Pulling Out of the Islam Makhachev Title Fight at the Last Moment

The biggest reason, according to Dana White, involves Arman Tsarukyan pulling out of a lightweight title opportunity at the last moment.

A Golden Opportunity

Tsarukyan was offered a massive chance to fight Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title. This was exactly what he had been asking for.

However, he withdrew from the fight very late, which created major problems for the promotion.

Why Dana White Was Furious

Main events are not just fights, they are:

When a fighter pulls out late:

Dana White openly stated that this incident seriously hurt Tsarukyan’s credibility.

From the UFC’s point of view:

If you cannot be relied upon when the biggest opportunity comes, you cannot be trusted with a championship.

The Dan Hooker Headbutt Incident at Faceoff

Another moment that angered Dana White involved Dan Hooker.

What Happened at the Faceoff?

During a tense faceoff, Arman Tsarukyan appeared to headbutt Dan Hooker.

Even if the contact was not severe, the intent was enough to raise concerns.

Why This Was a Serious Issue

Faceoffs are promotional moments meant to:

If Hooker had been injured:

Dana White reportedly said that Arman nearly destroyed the main event because of a lack of discipline.

To the UFC, this was yet another example of Tsarukyan acting impulsively when professionalism was required.

Dana White’s Blunt Opinion on Arman Tsarukyan

Dana White did not soften his words when talking about these incidents. According to multiple interviews, Dana made it clear that:

At one point, Dana even suggested that Tsarukyan was acting like a “dumb guy”, not because of his fighting IQ, but because of how he handles pressure and opportunity.

For Dana White, this pattern matters more than rankings.

Why the UFC Lightweight Division Is Different

The lightweight division is:

Because of this, the UFC expects:

Dana White has repeatedly shown that title shots are not just earned by wins, but by trust.

Does Arman Tsarukyan Still Deserve a Title Shot?

From a fan’s perspective, many still believe:

However, from the UFC’s business perspective:

Dana White’s message is simple:

If Arman wants a title shot, he must prove he can be trusted again.

What Arman Tsarukyan Must Do to Get Back in the Title Picture

If Tsarukyan wants another chance, the path is clear:

  1. Stay professional at all times
  2. Avoid confrontations outside the cage
  3. Show discipline during faceoffs
  4. Never pull out of a major fight unless absolutely necessary
  5. Win decisively against top contenders

The UFC does forgive mistakes, but only when fighters show maturity afterward.

Final Thoughts: Skill Isn’t Everything in the UFC

Arman Tsarukyan’s situation is a perfect example of how the UFC works behind the scenes.

But according to Dana White, his own actions delayed his championship dreams.

Until Tsarukyan proves that he can match his fighting talent with professionalism and responsibility, the UFC is unlikely to trust him with a lightweight title main event.

For now, the message from Dana White is clear:
Great fighters must also be smart professionals, or the title shot will go to someone else.

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